Football: Hou's sorry now!

0 Comments | Sunday Mirror, May 9, 1999 | by PAUL HETHERINGTON

GERARD Houllier knows his words won't be well received on Merseyside, so they are prefaced with what amounts to a public apology.

The Liverpool manager admits his club is lagging behind bitter rivals Manchester United and reveals his view that Alex Ferguson's side will conquer Europe.

Worse than that, Houllier concedes that he actually WANTS to see United crowned as European Cup winners.

It could be seen on the Kop as sacrilege. Could you imagine Bill Shankly or Bob Paisley saying it?

But Houllier is not only giving an honest assessment, having had another close-up view of treble-chasing United in last Wednesday's 2- 2 thriller. He is also underlining his commitment to his job in England and his desire to take Liverpool back to where they were and where United are now - the pinnacle of the game both at home and abroad.

As Fergie's side take their 28-match unbeaten run into today's game at Middlesbrough, Houllier says: "They are in the final of the Champions' League and we have to respect that and say what a good job Alex has done.

"I hope they win it, too. I'm sorry to say it, but this is England, the country in which we are all earning our living. And United are representing the country in the Champions' League.

"On the form United showed in Turin against Juventus and also the form of Bayern against Dynamo Kiev, I think Manchester appear to be a better team than Bayern."

Houllier, former manager of France and technical director to his country's World Cup-winning team last summer, has a deep knowledge of European football.

He concedes: "The Germans are always well organised and they never give in, as they showed in Kiev. But if United can keep their competitiveness, they've got a good chance."

United will be without skipper Roy Keane in Barcelona a fortnight on Wednesday through suspension. Ferguson describes his midfield driving force as "the most influential player at the club this year."

But Houllier believes the Republic of Ireland ace will still be an influence from the sidelines.

"His words at the end of the game in Turin, when he knew he would be suspended for the final, were outstanding as a captain.

"They were the kind of words that bring confidence to the rest of the team.

"What all great teams have to do at some stage, unfortunately, is play without their best players.

"And Manchester United have shown they can do that - just as they did in the previous round in Europe, when Ryan Giggs missed the second leg in Turin."